Friday, August 30, 2013

WILDLIFE BMPs FOR FORESTRY
A subcommittee of the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services' Silviculture Best Management Practices Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is working on the development of wildlife BMPs for forestry activities intended to avoid a "take" of certain state listed species, both aquatic and terrestrial. The subcommittee includes representatives of the Florida Fish and Widlife Conservation Commission, other key state and federal agencies, Florida Forestry Association, and an environmental organization. Draft BMPs will be presented to the full TAC this fall for discussion and possible approval.

USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) CONSERVATION PLAN ASSISTANCE
Creating a conservation plan is a free service in conserving water, improving air quality, and reducing soil erosion. It’s your plan to use as you wish – a guide to using your natural resources more efficiently. Agricultural producers can request technical assistance and develop a conservation plan at any time. The NRCS's mission is providing science-based conservation assistance for the management of natural resources; for present and future generations. Additional information on NRCS, conservation assistance, and programs is available on the web at http://www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA - NRCS office. To find the nearest office go to your telephone directory under “U. S. Government, Department of Agriculture”, or http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

FLORIDA RESIDENTST ASKED TO REPORT SIGHTINGS OF RARE SNAKES
Information on current distribution and abundance of the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) is needed, and your observations can help FWC biologists evaluate their status. These snakes spend much of their time underground in dry, upland habitats and are difficult to survey. Participate here:https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

PUBLIC INVITED TO REVIEW FWC IMPERILED SPECIES ACTION PLANS
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites your feedback on the Imperiled Species Management Plan, which will be the blueprint for conserving 60 species on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species list. Be a part the process. See http://www.myfwc.com/Imperiled to learn more and participate.

HELP STILL NEEDED - COYOTES VS BOBCATS: WHAT ARE THEY EATING?
Your help is still needed in this study. The University of Florida is conducting a study of coyote and bobcat diets in Florida. Of particular interest is the importance of popular wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets in the diet of these predators. Diets will be determined by examining the stomach contents of coyotes and bobcats legally harvested or obtained in Florida. We are asking for your help in obtaining legally acquired coyote and bobcat carcasses, with or without pelts. We will also accept coyote and bobcat stomachs and intestines if you cannot store the whole carcass. If you have at least 5 animals that you would like to provide us, you can contact Lauren Watine (352-846-0558; lnwatine@ufl.edu) or Bill Giuliano (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu) at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup. If you have fewer than 5 animals or are going to be coming through Gainesville, arrangements can be made to get carcasses from you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a pickup. Carcasses or stomachs and intestines should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, animal sex, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained. We have obtained a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this project, and will keep information provided by you for this project anonymous to the extent possible by law. We greatly appreciate your help with this valuable study!

BARK & AMBROSIA BEETLE ACADEMY COMING IN MAY 2014
The Forest Entomology Lab at the University of Florida is pleased to invite you to a comprehensive workshop on bark and ambrosia beetles in May 2014.

Are you a landowner or a naturalist interested in bark and ambrosia beetles?

A forester in charge of pests?

An extension agent with clients in forestry and natural resources?

A researcher with beetle-related projects?

You probably need to understand bark and ambrosia beetles, their damage, and biology! Learn from a team of experts through hands-on labs, field demonstration, and lectures. Choose one, two, or all three modules: Regional Applied Focus, Hardcore Identification, and Understanding the Bug. See details and sign up for updates at http://www.ambrosiasymbiosis.org/academy/

Friday, August 23, 2013

FARMERS REDISCOVER COVER CROPS AND CONSERVATION
PLANNING: OLD PRACTICES TAKING ROOTGainesville, FL.,
August 23, 2013 – It’s something old and something new. It’s something
borrowed and something…well, green. Cover cropping, a traditional conservation
practice considered old-fashioned by many in modern agriculture, is being
“borrowed” and used in new ways by innovative farmers to improve their soil’s
health, and with it, the health of their businesses’ bottom lines. “Today’s
agricultural producers are rediscovering how to make cover crops work on their
farms, with some impressive results,” says Mimi Williams, state conservation
agronomist and plant materials specialist with USDA’s Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida. “Producer bottom lines are improved
when cover crops are used by suppressing weeds and reducing pesticide
use.”

In addition, legume cover crops provide essentially free nitrogen
which reduces fertilizer costs. Increased soil organic matter from these cover
crops slows rainfall filtering through the ground and improves water holding
capacity, which reduces irrigation costs. Over the last five years interest
in cover crops has surged, driven by many interacting factors such as those
mentioned above plus cover crop cost-share programs and new GPS-guidance
technologies that enable new ways of using cover crops. This is where the USDA
NRCS can help. Through technical assistance, conservation planning, and
conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program NRCS is
working to help farmers adapt those practices to their farms.

NRCS is
making an extra effort to show Florida agricultural producers how conservation
planning can help your land's natural resources. We are encouraging farmers and
ranchers to come in to our office and request help developing your conservation
plan. Creating a conservation plan is a free service from our experts in
conserving water, improving air quality, and reducing soil erosion. It’s your
plan to use as you wish – a guide to using your natural resources more
efficiently. Cover crops are just one option in a conservation plan. Good
soil health management plans offer a variety of on-farm benefits and options for
building organic matter, increasing the soil’s water-holding capacity, and
suppressing pests, diseases and weeds. And the benefits of improved soil health
extend beyond the farm. The public also benefits when producers manage their
soil health because soils that allow increased infiltration and have good
water-holding capacity reduce runoff that causes flooding. Improved infiltration
also keeps nutrients and sediment from being carried off-site into nearby lakes,
rivers, and streams.

Agricultural producers can request technical
assistance and develop a conservation plan at any time. Our mission is providing
science-based conservation assistance for the management of natural resources;
for present and future generations. Additional information on NRCS, conservation
assistance, and programs is available on the web at http://www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA - NRCS
office. To find the nearest office go to your telephone directory under “U. S.
Government, Department of Agriculture”, or http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

FLORIDA RESIDENTST ASKED TO REPORT SIGHTINGS OF RARE SNAKES
Information on current distribution and abundance of the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) is needed, and your observations can help FWC biologists evaluate their status. These snakes spend much of their time underground in dry, upland habitats and are difficult to survey. Participate here:https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

PUBLIC INVITED TO REVIEW FWC IMPERILED SPECIES ACTION PLANS
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites your feedback on the Imperiled Species Management Plan, which will be the blueprint for conserving 60 species on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species list. Be a part the process. See http://www.myfwc.com/Imperiled to learn more and participate.

FLORIDA INVASIVE SPECIES PARTNERSHIP: INVASIVE SPECIES KNOW NO BOUNDARIES
Public and private land managers in Florida agree that invasive non-native species are a statewide problem with high ecological and economic costs. The Florida Invasive Species Partnership (FISP) is a collaboration of federal, state and local agencies along with non-government organizations, all with a stake in managing invasive non-native species in Florida. Because species can spread beyond fence lines, our goal is to connect private landowners and public land managers with invasive species expertise and assistance programs across boundaries. All stakeholders, both public and private, can benefit from collaborative efforts to reduce the threat. FISP increases communication, coordination and the sharing of resources to protect Florida's natural landscape. FISP:

Encourages voluntary partnerships, such as Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas

Provides information and contacts on assistance and incentive programs for private landowners

HELP STILL NEEDED - COYOTES VS BOBCATS: WHAT ARE THEY EATING?
Your help is still needed in this study. The University of Florida is conducting a study of coyote and bobcat diets in Florida. Of particular interest is the importance of popular wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets in the diet of these predators. Diets will be determined by examining the stomach contents of coyotes and bobcats legally harvested or obtained in Florida. We are asking for your help in obtaining legally acquired coyote and bobcat carcasses, with or without pelts. We will also accept coyote and bobcat stomachs and intestines if you cannot store the whole carcass. If you have at least 5 animals that you would like to provide us, you can contact Lauren Watine (352-846-0558; lnwatine@ufl.edu) or Bill Giuliano (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu) at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup. If you have fewer than 5 animals or are going to be coming through Gainesville, arrangements can be made to get carcasses from you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a pickup. Carcasses or stomachs and intestines should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, animal sex, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained. We have obtained a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this project, and will keep information provided by you for this project anonymous to the extent possible by law. We greatly appreciate your help with this valuable study!

BARK & AMBROSIA BEETLE ACADEMY COMING IN MAY 2014
The Forest Entomology Lab at the University of Florida is pleased to invite you to a comprehensive workshop on bark and ambrosia beetles in May 2014.

Are you a landowner or a naturalist interested in bark and ambrosia beetles?

A forester in charge of pests?

An extension agent with clients in forestry and natural resources?

A researcher with beetle-related projects?

You probably need to understand bark and ambrosia beetles, their damage, and biology! Learn from a team of experts through hands-on labs, field demonstration, and lectures. Choose one, two, or all three modules: Regional Applied Focus, Hardcore Identification, and Understanding the Bug. See details and sign up for updates at http://www.ambrosiasymbiosis.org/academy/.

Friday, August 9, 2013

PUBLIC INVITED TO REVIEW FWC IMPERILED SPECIES ACTION
PLANSThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) invites your feedback on the Imperiled Species Management Plan, which will
be the blueprint for conserving 60 species on Florida’s Endangered and
Threatened Species list. Be a part the process. See http://www.myfwc.com/Imperiled to learn more and participate.

FLORIDA INVASIVE SPECIES PARTNERSHIP: INVASIVE SPECIES KNOW NO
BOUNDARIES
Public and private land managers in Florida agree
that invasive non-native species are a statewide problem with high ecological
and economic costs. The Florida Invasive Species Partnership
(FISP) is a collaboration of federal, state and local agencies along
with non-government organizations, all with a stake in managing invasive
non-native species in Florida. Because species can spread beyond fence lines,
our goal is to connect private landowners and public land managers with invasive
species expertise and assistance programs across boundaries. All stakeholders,
both public and private, can benefit from collaborative efforts to reduce the
threat. FISP increases communication, coordination and the sharing of resources
to protect Florida's natural landscape. FISP:

Encourages voluntary partnerships, such as Cooperative Invasive Species
Management Areas

Provides information and contacts on assistance and incentive programs for
private landowners

HELP STILL NEEDED - COYOTES VS BOBCATS: WHAT ARE THEY
EATING?
Your help is still needed in this study. The University
of Florida is conducting a study of coyote and bobcat diets in Florida. Of
particular interest is the importance of popular wildlife species, including
white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets in the diet
of these predators. Diets will be determined by examining the stomach contents
of coyotes and bobcats legally harvested or obtained in Florida. We are asking
for your help in obtaining legally acquired coyote and bobcat carcasses, with or
without pelts. We will also accept coyote and bobcat stomachs and intestines if
you cannot store the whole carcass. If you have at least 5 animals that you
would like to provide us, you can contact Lauren Watine (352-846-0558; lnwatine@ufl.edu) or Bill Giuliano
(352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu) at the University
of Florida to arrange for pickup. If you have fewer than 5 animals or are going
to be coming through Gainesville, arrangements can be made to get carcasses from
you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a
pickup. Carcasses or stomachs and intestines should be frozen in a suitable bag
or container, and include the name of contributor, animal sex, date
harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained. We have obtained a permit
from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this project, and
will keep information provided by you for this project anonymous to the extent
possible by law. We greatly appreciate your help with this valuable study!

BARK & AMBROSIA BEETLE ACADEMY COMING IN MAY
2014The Forest Entomology Lab at the University of Florida is
pleased to invite you to a comprehensive workshop on bark and ambrosia beetles
in May 2014.

Are you a landowner or a naturalist interested in bark and ambrosia beetles?

A forester in charge of pests?

An extension agent with clients in forestry and natural resources?

A researcher with beetle-related projects?

You probably need to understand bark and ambrosia beetles, their damage, and
biology! Learn from a team of experts through hands-on labs, field
demonstration, and lectures. Choose one, two, or all three modules: Regional
Applied Focus, Hardcore Identification, and Understanding the Bug. See details
and sign up for updates at http://www.ambrosiasymbiosis.org/academy/.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

HELP STILL NEEDED - COYOTES VS BOBCATS: WHAT ARE THEY EATING?Your help is still needed in this study. The University of Florida is conducting a study of coyote and bobcat diets in Florida. Of particular interest is the importance of popular wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets in the diet of these predators. Diets will be determined by examining the stomach contents of coyotes and bobcats legally harvested or obtained in Florida. We are asking for your help in obtaining legally acquired coyote and bobcat carcasses, with or without pelts. We will also accept coyote and bobcat stomachs and intestines if you cannot store the whole carcass. If you have at least 5 animals that you would like to provide us, you can contact Lauren Watine (352-846-0558; lnwatine@ufl.edu) or Bill Giuliano (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu) at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup. If you have fewer than 5 animals or are going to be coming through Gainesville, arrangements can be made to get carcasses from you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a pickup. Carcasses or stomachs and intestines should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, animal sex, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained. We have obtained a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this project, and will keep information provided by you for this project anonymous to the extent possible by law. We greatly appreciate your help with this valuable study!

2011 FLORIDA AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES ECONOMIC REPORT

A study by the University of Florida’s Food and Resource Economics Department found Florida’s agriculture, natural resources and related food industries provided a $104 billion impact on the state in 2011. These industries accounted for employment of just under 2 million full- and part-time workers in 2011, including indirect jobs in related sectors. This represents 20 percent of all jobs in the state. Full report available at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FE/FE93500.pdf

BARK & AMBROSIA BEETLE ACADEMY COMING IN MAY 2014The Forest Entomology Lab at the University of Florida is pleased to invite you to a comprehensive workshop on bark and ambrosia beetles in May 2014.

Are you a landowner or a naturalist interested in bark and ambrosia beetles?

A forester in charge of pests?

An extension agent with clients in forestry and natural resources?

A researcher with beetle-related projects?

You probably need to understand bark and ambrosia beetles, their damage, and biology! Learn from a team of experts through hands-on labs, field demonstration, and lectures. Choose one, two, or all three modules: Regional Applied Focus, Hardcore Identification, and Understanding the Bug. See details and sign up for updates at http://www.ambrosiasymbiosis.org/academy/.